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GI flies Flag upside down
- Thread starter Salty
- Start date
It was more a sign of protest than distress, dont you agree? BTW, I have been considering the same protest....especially up here in the NE.
You probably have a point but I view them as different. Im not sure how the Army code of conduct works... today! Does it change per administration?
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Back during Vietnam this 'sign of protest' was seen as almost treasonous by the right.
How things have changed.
How things have changed.
You're right. It was seen that way. I am sure in many cases it was. We'd have to look at the cases individually to know for sure.
Hanging it upside down because you are opposed to a war being fought overseas is one thing. I believe it is treason to aide and abet our enemies. Being their voice here and abroad is an example this. Jane Fonda, John Kerry, and many others in our media are guilty of this, IMO.
Hanging it upside down because of attacks stateside is another thing. Since our oath is to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic I believe it is not treason to hang the flag upside down in a time of direct attack from our own government.
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Americans still have a free vote. Just because votes don't go a certain way is no cause to take this step. This is a huge step in my mind. I find it as offensive now as I did then.
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
The American people freely and legally elected President Obama in November. The constitution is working the way it was meant to work. An upside down flag is an appalling way to protest a legal election.
If it is acceptable now then we have to accept to as a acceptable sign of protest by those who opposed an illegal and immoral war that did nothing but profit the US military industrial complex and killed tens of thousands of America's children.
If it is acceptable now then we have to accept to as a acceptable sign of protest by those who opposed an illegal and immoral war that did nothing but profit the US military industrial complex and killed tens of thousands of America's children.
Last edited by a moderator:
It's incorrect to call what Kerry or others did "treason." Oran's Dictionary of the Law (1983) defines treason as "...[a]...citizen's actions to help a foreign government overthrow, make war against, or seriously injure the [parent nation]."
In other words you have to do something such as bearing arms against your parent country or assist a foreign government in overthrowing the country.
In other words you have to do something such as bearing arms against your parent country or assist a foreign government in overthrowing the country.
There are many ways to do violence against a person or a nation. Nothing in the definition you posted demands a physical weapon to be used.
The link below includes giving aid or comfort to our enemies. This is the clause I base my opinion on regarding those individuals. I understand many do not agree with me.
http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A3Sec3.html
The link below includes giving aid or comfort to our enemies. This is the clause I base my opinion on regarding those individuals. I understand many do not agree with me.
http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_A3Sec3.html
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
I agree. I would contend that the real enemy during Vietnam was our own government who traded soldiers lives in order to profit the weapons manufacturing firms. If you make weapons to build the economy you need someone to use those weapons.
However, flying the flag upside down is not treason. It is simply a violation of the flag code for which there is no penalty. Those who did this during Vietnam had just a valid a point as this soldier in the OP .
Maybe their actions couldn't be prosecuted, but opposing points can't have equal validity unless they're both wrong. Where one is descrating the flag in support of a communist revolution, and another is flying the flag upside down to protest the violence being done to the Constitution, one is right and the other wrong.
From the article: "Flying a flag upside down is considered a sign of distress, and Section 176 of Chapter 10, Title 36 in the U.S. Code of Laws, referred to as the U.S. Flag Code, says the flag should be flown upside down only in “instances of extreme danger to life or property.”"
I'm conflicted by this. Though I agree with the sentiment of the individual, I'm not sure that the reason doesn't cheapen the act of flying the Flag upside down; that is to say, I'm not sure that it's appropriate to do so for political reasons.
Bob Alkire
New Member
My father would have agreed with you. He came back from WWII with a total dislike for our government. I think he believed that FDR was the antichrist. He would tell us don't discredit him by working for the government or being a democrat. When I taught in public school while in seminary it did violence to him, I didn't realize how much till after the fact.
Bob Alkire
New Member
I agree!! So many of our so called political acts or reactions have cheapen our political actions. We as a nation have cheapen our care for our country and flag. So many of our Christians today are saying it is wrong to be a patriot or care for your country.